1. Why budget for Tay Ninh travel during Tet
1.1. High visitor numbers, many services adjust prices
Tet is the time when Tay Ninh welcomes a large number of tourists for spring travel and pilgrimages, especially in the Nui Ba Den area. When demand surges, many services such as bus tickets, food, parking, or accommodation may adjust prices compared to normal days, causing the total cost of traveling to Tay Ninh during Tet to easily exceed the initial estimate.
A large number of tourists visit Nui Ba Den on the first day of the new year (Source: Collected)
Besides price increases, the crowded situation also causes some services to have long waiting times or forces visitors to choose alternative options at a higher cost. If the budget is not prepared in advance, tourists may find themselves in a passive situation, affecting the overall travel experience.
1.2. Additional expenses when combining tourism and pilgrimage
Traveling to Tay Ninh at the beginning of the year is often associated with pilgrimage, temple visits, and sightseeing of spiritual sites. In addition to main expenses such as cable car tickets and food, tourists may incur additional costs for donations, parking, purchasing offerings, or using support services within the tourist area, making the total Tay Ninh travel cost during Tet higher than a usual trip.
Additionally, combining multiple attractions in one day also incurs costs for intra-provincial transportation, snacks, drinks, and souvenir shopping. These are small expenses, but they can add up to a significant difference if not accounted for in the plan.
1.3. Proactive budgeting makes the trip more comfortable
When necessary expenses are clearly estimated, choosing services and arranging itineraries become more flexible and proactive. Good control of Tay Ninh travel costs during Tet helps tourists avoid having to cut back on experiences or change plans at the last minute due to exceeding the budget.
Financial proactivity also helps the spring trip proceed smoothly and comfortably, especially for families with elderly members or large groups. When not worrying too much about expenses, tourists can focus on enjoying the festive atmosphere and sightseeing activities in the early days of the year.
2. Transportation costs to Tay Ninh during Tet
2.1. Traveling by motorbike or private car
If traveling by motorbike from TP. Ho Chi Minh – Tay Ninh (about 100–110 km), the round-trip fuel cost is usually around 120,000 – 180,000 VND/vehicle, depending on the vehicle type and fuel consumption. For 4–7 seater cars, the fuel cost for the round trip ranges from about 350,000 – 600,000 VND, excluding toll fees if traveling on toll roads. This is a relatively easy expense to control within the total Tay Ninh travel cost during Tet when traveling in large groups.
Travel costs are among the most controllable expenses on a trip (Source: Collected)
Besides fuel costs, visitors need to add parking fees at attractions, commonly ranging from 10,000 – 20,000 VND/time for motorbikes and 30,000 – 50,000 VND/time for cars. Specifically in the Nui Ba Den area, on peak days, it might be slightly higher. If visiting multiple spots in a day, the total parking cost can reach 50,000 – 100,000 VND/day.
2.2. Traveling by bus, limousine from Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding provinces
Bus ticket prices for the Ho Chi Minh City – Tay Ninh route on normal days are around 90,000 – 130,000 VND/way, but during Tet, they often increase to 120,000 – 180,000 VND/way depending on the bus company and time slot. With high-quality limousines, prices are commonly from 160,000 – 220,000 VND/way; in return, you get spacious seats, fewer stops to pick up passengers, and faster travel time, directly affecting the total Tet travel costs in Tay Ninh for each person.
Buses and limousines are popular means of transport to Tay Ninh during Tet (Source: Collected)
After arriving at the bus station or drop-off point, tourists often need to pay extra for transportation to the city center or to Ba Den Mountain area. Taxis or ride-hailing services from Tay Ninh city center to Ba Den Mountain cost about 120,000 – 180,000 VND per trip. If traveling in a group of 3-4 people, the cost is quite reasonable when divided, but traveling alone will be more expensive than self-driving.
2.3. Intra-provincial travel and to tourist attractions
Within the city and tourist areas, taxis and ride-hailing services are the most used means of transport. The average price for a short trip ranges from about 40,000 – 80,000 VND, while longer routes, such as from the city center to distant attractions, can cost up to 100,000 – 150,000 VND per trip. If traveling to multiple locations in a day, the total taxi cost can reach 300,000 – 500,000 VND per day, accounting for a significant portion of the Tay Ninh tourism cost during Tet.
Specifically at the Ba Den Mountain tourist area, in addition to parking fees, tourists may incur additional costs for internal electric vehicles if walking long distances, with prices usually around 10,000 – 20,000 VND per person per trip depending on the route. Although this amount is small, when added to cable car tickets, food, and shopping, it will significantly affect the total budget for a day trip during peak season.
3. Costs of attractions and service tickets in Tay Ninh during Tet
3.1. Ba Den Mountain cable car tickets
Currently, the Ba Den Mountain tourist area has many cable car routes, such as the route to the summit, the route to Ba Pagoda, and combined packages. Cable car ticket prices on weekdays range from about 250,000 – 450,000 VND for adults and about 150,000 – 350,000 VND for children. During Tet, peak season prices or service combos may apply, making this part a large proportion of each tourist's Tay Ninh tourism cost during Tet.
Cable car is an unmissable experience in the journey to explore Nui Ba Den (Source: Collected)
From the 1st to the 4th day of Tet, the number of pilgrims and tourists is very high, the waiting time for the cable car can be from 30 minutes to over 1 hour during peak hours (8 AM – 11 AM). If traveling with family, many people often choose to buy package combos to save more than buying individual tickets, while also reducing the time spent queuing to buy tickets.
3.2. Costs of visiting spiritual sites and relics
Most pagodas, temples, and pilgrimage sites in Tay Ninh do not charge entrance fees, and visitors can explore freely. However, common expenses include parking fees from 10,000 – 20,000 VND/motorcycle, 30,000 – 50,000 VND/car, along with voluntary donations, usually ranging from 20,000 – 100,000 VND/person. Although these amounts are small, they add up and affect the total cost of traveling to Tay Ninh during Tet .
Attractions in Tay Ninh are usually free of charge, making it very convenient for tourists to explore (Source: Collected)
Additionally, at some large spiritual sites, tourists can use additional services such as electric vehicles, selling offerings, incense and candles, or hiring local guides. The cost for these services usually ranges from 20,000 – 50,000 VND per turn. If combining multiple services on the same day, the total cost for spiritual activities can reach up to 150,000 – 300,000 VND per person.
3.3. Cost of experiencing services within the tourist area
After sightseeing, many tourists choose to eat within the tourist area, especially at Ba Den Mountain with its system of restaurants and buffets. Buffet prices are commonly around 250,000 – 350,000 VND for adults, and 150,000 – 200,000 VND for children, while à la carte restaurants have an average cost of 150,000 – 300,000 VND per person per meal. This is a significant expense in the total Tay Ninh tourism cost during Tet, especially for large families.
Besides dining, some areas also offer services like souvenir photos, light entertainment games, or purchasing tickets to participate in events and performances according to the festival season. The cost for these activities is usually not too high, around 50,000 – 150,000 VND per person, but if combining multiple experiences on the same day, the total service cost can increase significantly compared to a schedule of only sightseeing and pilgrimage.
4. Food and drink costs when traveling to Tay Ninh during Tet
4.1. Eating at restaurants and eateries within the tourist area
At Sun World Ba Den Mountain tourist area, two dining spots chosen by many tourists during holidays and Tet are Van Son Buffet and Sol Kitchen Restaurant. Van Son Buffet serves in a buffet style with a rich menu including Vietnamese, Asian, and some European dishes, very suitable for lunch after completing the cable car journey and sightseeing on the mountaintop. During Tet, the buffet is priced at 300,000 VND/adult, 200,000 VND/child, making dining here a significant part of the total Tay Ninh tourism cost during Tet.
Vibrant Tet space at Van Son Buffet restaurant (Source: Collected)
Meanwhile, Sol Kitchen restaurant is suitable for tourists who want to order à la carte, with familiar Vietnamese dishes and local specialties such as tender beef, noodle soup, and set meals. The average spending for a meal here is usually around 120,000 – 250,000 VND/person, depending on the dishes and additional orders. The biggest advantage of eating at restaurants in tourist areas is convenience, not having to go out when it's crowded, helping to save time and maintain the day's sightseeing pace. Although the cost is higher than eateries in the city center, it offers comfort and schedule flexibility during the peak Tet holiday.
4.2. Eating at local eateries and in the city center
In the central area of Tay Ninh City or on major roads, tourists can easily find eateries serving specialties such as tender beef, noodle soup, rolled rice paper, and fermented fish hot pot… The common spending for a filling meal usually falls around 50,000 – 120,000 VND/person. If eating in groups and ordering many dishes, the average is about 120,000 – 180,000 VND/person/meal. This is an option that helps save significantly on the cost of traveling to Tay Ninh during Tet.
Compared to restaurants in tourist areas, eating at local eateries is cheaper and the menu is diverse, rich in local flavors. However, during Tet, many eateries can be crowded or serve limited hours. Tourists need to factor in waiting time and travel costs if not located on the main sightseeing route.
4.3. Costs for snacks and buying specialties during the day
During sightseeing, tourists often incur additional costs for snacks such as mixed rice paper, grilled rice paper, sugarcane juice, kumquat tea, or other soft drinks. Each item costs around 10,000 – 30,000 VND. If snacking sporadically throughout the day, the total cost can reach up to 50,000 – 100,000 VND/person, contributing to the total cost of traveling to Tay Ninh during Tet that many people easily overlook when budgeting.
Additionally, buying specialties to take home such as dew-dried rice paper, shrimp salt, tamarind, dried soursop… usually costs an additional 100,000 – 300,000 VND/gift package, depending on the quantity and type of product. For tourists buying many items as gifts, this expense can become a significant part of the trip's budget.
5. Accommodation costs in Tay Ninh during Tet
5.1. Hotels in the center of Tay Ninh City
The central area of Tay Ninh City has many hotels, from budget to 2-3 star standard, convenient for moving to dining and sightseeing spots. On weekdays, room prices range from about 300,000 – 600,000 VND/night, but during Tet, prices usually increase to about 500,000 – 900,000 VND/night depending on the location and room quality, becoming a considerable expense in the total cost of traveling to Tay Ninh during Tet.
Hotels in the city center are usually more expensive (Source: Collected)
Choosing a central hotel is suitable for tourists staying for 1-2 days, who want to relax comfortably after visiting Black Lady Mountain or strolling around in the evening. The advantage is that it's easy to find eateries and no long-distance travel is needed. However, during peak Tet season, good rooms often run out quickly, so booking in advance is very important to avoid choosing expensive rooms or staying far from the center.
5.2. Guesthouses, homestays in the surrounding areas
If you want to save budget, tourists can choose guesthouses or homestays in the suburbs or near the roads leading to tourist areas. The price on weekdays is about 200,000 – 400,000 VND/night, during Tet it can increase to 300,000 – 600,000 VND/night, suitable for groups of friends or families who want to share accommodation costs within the total Tay Ninh Tet travel costs .
Homestay is a choice that helps tourists save more costs (Source: Collected)
The advantages of this type of accommodation are soft prices, comfortable space, and some homestays even have common living areas or kitchens. However, the disadvantage is that they are often far from the center, tourists need to calculate additional travel costs and time, especially on days when many vehicles head to Nui Ba Den.
Additionally, many tourists from Ho Chi Minh City or nearby provinces also choose the option of not renting a room but returning on the same day, helping to save accommodation costs completely, but in return, the itinerary will be quite rushed with little time for rest, suitable for short trips or focusing only on sightseeing – pilgrimage within the day.
Besides the main expenses such as transportation, sightseeing, dining, and accommodation, tourists may also incur some other expenses during their experience, such as buying offerings, incense and candles for pilgrimage, luggage storage, renting electric vehicles within the area, or buying small souvenirs. The total of these expenses usually ranges from VND 100,000 – 300,000 per person, depending on spending levels and the number of places visited. Although not too large, if not planned in advance, these small expenses can still cause the total cost of traveling to Tay Ninh during Tet to increase significantly, especially for large groups or families with young children.
6. Suggested budget levels for each type of travel
6.1. One-day trip to Tay Ninh
For a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City or nearby provinces, the main costs include transportation, cable car tickets, food, and some minor incidental expenses. On average, each person needs to prepare about VND 500,000 – 900,000 per person, depending on the choice of transportation, whether to eat buffet or at local eateries, and whether to buy additional specialties. This is a quite common level for sightseeing combined with pilgrimage during peak season.
Day trip to Tay Ninh helps you experience an early year pilgrimage while saving costs (Source: Collected)
This format is suitable for groups of friends or families who want to go for early year worship, do not need to stay overnight, and can return within the day. The advantage is saving accommodation costs, helping the total Tây Ninh travel costs during Tet not to be too high, but in return, the itinerary is usually quite packed with little time for rest.
6.2. 2 days 1 night trip
With a 2-day, 1-night trip, visitors will incur additional costs for hotels or homestays, as well as have more meals and time to experience services within the tourist area. The average total budget for this itinerary is usually around 1,200,000 – 1,800,000 VND/person, including transportation, cable car tickets, food, accommodation, and purchasing specialties.
A 2-day, 1-night trip helps you balance exploration and relaxation (Source: Collected)
The advantage of a 2-day itinerary is that it's not too rushed, allowing time for rest, evening strolls, and visiting additional spots beyond Black Lady Mountain (Nui Ba Den). Although the cost is higher than a day trip, it offers a more complete experience and is suitable for tourists who want to enjoy a gentle spring atmosphere, contributing to a reasonable balance of the total cost of Tây Ninh tourism during Tết compared to the experience time.
6.3. Group or Large Family Travel
When traveling in groups or with large families, many expenses can be shared equally, such as fuel, taxi fares, accommodation, or ordering family-style meals, helping to reduce the average cost per person. In this case, the budget typically ranges from VND 900,000 to VND 1,400,000 per person for a 2-day, 1-night trip, which is lower than traveling individually if arranged properly.
Additionally, traveling in large groups makes it easier to choose combo packages for dining, booking large rooms, or renting private vehicles, allowing for a more proactive itinerary and greater savings compared to using multiple individual services. This is a format many families choose during Tết to both bond and optimize the cost of Tây Ninh tourism during Tết while ensuring a comfortable experience for all members.
Overall, the cost of Tây Ninh tourism during Tết is not too high compared to many other spring travel destinations, suitable for both day trips and 2-day, 1-night itineraries. By proactively budgeting for expenses such as transportation, cable car tickets, dining, accommodation, and incidental costs, visitors can effectively control their spending while fully enjoying the pilgrimage, sightseeing, and relaxation atmosphere at the beginning of the year.
